Reflector for light projectors



0ct.`z0, 1925- W. F. MORRISON RE'FLECTOR FOR LIGHT lROJECTORS 19.24 2 SheeLS--Shee''` l 3.3.3. lof; z

Oct. 20, 1925. 1,558,270

W. F* MORRISON REFLECTOR FOR LIGHT PROJECTORS Filed Aug. 27. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 24 Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES N y v1,558,270 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER FQ MORRISON, 0F 'LOS `ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

REFLECTOR FOR LIGHT PROJECTOR/S.

Application filed August 27, 1924. ySeriall No. 734,440.

aspect, to improvements ,in light refiectors of the type exemplified by a division of the reflector into a series orreflecting zones .designed to distribute the projected light rays over a uniform predetermined area of modified intensity extending laterally in all directions from an area of high intensity` which, as applied to motor vehicles would be the road bed at a certain distance in advance of the vehicle. More particularly it is my purpose to provide a light reflector wherein certain or all of the reflecting'zones are formed each with a cross sectional or lateral curvature contemplating a segment of a `given parabola,` and these zones maybe, and'preferably are in some instances, separated by zones having plane or fiat refiect'ing surfaces. The alternate arrangement of Vflat and curved reflecting zones is designed to uniquely .combine the maximum distribution of refiected rays induced by a plane or flat surface with the greater concentration of such reflected rays as attributable to curved surfaces. Furthermore, my invention includes the arrangement of these' reflecting zones with their major axes parallelv with a vertical line passing through the focal point of the refiector.

In the principal embodiment of my invention the respective reflecting zones are developed from segments of a parabola more shallow, or of less lineal curvature, than the parabola contemplated by the cross section of thereflector, and these zones may vbe, and preferably are, separated by zones concentration in the area of high intensity than can be. expected from .reflectors of the typeexemplificd by similarly and arcuately curved zones or zones contemplating the developement of a conic section.

Among the many advantages, in addition to those recited above, which may be attributed to refiectors constructed according c to the principles of my invention are; first, high rays are eliminated thereby avoiding dazzling the eyes of a person approaching the light; second, the greatest intensity normally exists in the approximate center of a band of modified light thereby'particularly adapting my reflector for use on motor vehicles: third, most effective illumination is obtained without resorting to wedge shaped or other peculiarly formed reflecting zones, and; fourth, by modifying the type of parabola contemplated by the segments of mv reflectingvzones certa-in changes may be affected in the illuminated field to adapt the reflector to a variety of uses and these can be attained without materially changing the form and general makeup of the reflector or of the die or post utilized in its fabrication. l

The structural elements employed to accomplish the above and other results and objects will be hereinafter more fully desis scribed in detail and specifically pointed out inthe claim appended hereunto and forming a part of this specification, but the scope of my invention may only be determined by the limits defined in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention l Figure 1 isa view suggestive of the band of light in the area of high intensity thrown by my reflector,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view -of the principal embodiment of my reiector wherein the refiecting zones each contemplate in cross section segments of the parabola indicated by the dot-and-dash line,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic'view of a reflector alternating plane or flat zones in cross section with those contemplating segments of a parabola.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a form of my reflector wherein but two curved zones are employed and these are separated by a centrally located plane or flat reflecting surface in cross section,

Figure is a diagrammatic front view of the reflector shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic front view of the, reflector shown in Figure 4.

Like characters of reference refer to like or similar partsl throughout the several slightly above the road bed, but not high enough to d azzle the eyes of the driver of another vehicle approaching the light. Furthermore an area of modified illumination should exist on either side of the road bed for the reason that a vehicle drivers eyes become non-receptive through con-centration upon the area of intense illumination. It is with a view to attaining these ends in the simplest and most effective manner that the present intention is designed.

As has been heretofore indicated generally, the principal embodiment of my invention resides in the provision of a parabolic reflector (l) made up of adjacent vertically7 arranged zones (2), (3) and (4). As illusltrated diagrammatically in Figure 2, these zones are curved in cross section to conform to segments (2') (3') and (4') of a parabola X of a less degree of curvature,- that is more shallow, than the parabola contemplated by the-refiector and indicated by dotted lines at Y. The source of light is indicated at (5) and it may be assulned that it is disposed at the focal point of the reflector. Inasmuch as the degree or extent of dis` tribution of reflected light rays varies inversely to the degree of curvature of the refleeting surface with a plane or flat reflectin surface as inducing a maximum of distri ution and a true arc as inducing a maximum of concentration, it will be seen that the rays of light forming the area of greatest intensity will emanate'from zones (3) and (4) as indicated approximately by dotted lines m while the rays of light'forming the area of modified intensity will emanate from zone (2) as indicated by the dot-anddash lines n. By simply modifying the type of parabola X the .area of illumination as well as the relative intensities in the area may be changed, and the nature of the reflecting surface developed according to my invention induces a more 'accurate and effective approximation of the preferred form of illumination for motor vehicles than is attainable by all plane or fiat zones or zones Vcontemplating in cross section a true are ofl a circle or conic section. It mayA be stated here, that in forming my reflector a parabola post or die is turned up and machined to forni the required zones, or if flat zones l such flat portions'may be readily formed on the die. The reflector is then pressed'upon the die. ""Should the die 'become worn or f otherwise inapt to form a given typeof my reflector it may be readily machined down to form a reflector `having slightly different reflecting zones.

. The area of modified intensity may be increased by utilizing zones having a proportionately less degree of curvature, that is zones contemplating segments of a more shallow parabola.' Furthermore, where requirements specify the utilization of a light field, the upper portion or half of which is of less breadth than the lower r'portion or half, the segments may be formed according to the concept of my invention, with a parabolic c'urvatuhrerof shorter focal length in the upper portion-orhalf, than in the lower portion or half causing greater con- `the upper portion of the refiecting field. In this instance the respective curvatures of the segments are merged gradually so that there is no marked dividing point between the upper and lower lportions thereof.

Where it is desired particularly to increase the area of modified intensity by utilizing centration of the light rays reflected from zones having a proportionately less degree of curvature, that is Vzones contemplating segments of a more shallow parabola as above mentioned, I have conceived of a refiector formed after the diagram shown in Figure 3. surface approximating in cross section a plane or flat surface are interposed between the zones having curved refiecting surfaces. The fiat zones are designated (5") and the curved zones (6). It will be noted that the light rays n projected from the fiat zone (5a) affect a more extensive area of modified illumination than the corresponding rays of Figure 2. e

The form of my invention shown in Figure 4 contemplates a. reflector 1n the nature of a true parabola but divided vertically into two or more zones (7) and (8) between which 'is interposed one or more zones (9) having a fiat' or plane reflecting surface in cross section. The relative position of zones 7) and (8) may be readily changed. to vary the pattern of light projected, but such changes necessitate a corresponding modificationof (9).

While in the foregoing, there have been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements as constitute the preferred embodiments of my invention,

it Visnevertheless desiredY to emphasize the- Having described my invention and its l' objects with such attention to detail as will are desired between sections ofthe parabola, thoroughly acquaint one skilled in the art nog.

with its construction' and advantages, I

claim A-segmental parabolic reflector for light projectors comprisinga plurality of vertically arranged contiguous zones, the coin- Inon bounding edges of which are relatively parallel n1 a vertlcal plane and of the same relatlve parabollc curvature, said zones having a lateral parabolic curvature taken at 10 right angles to the bounding edges and at any point in their lengths of greater focal length than the focal length of the parabola contemplated by the curvature of said edges,

and the'focal length of the parabola contemplated by the curvature of said edges' WALTER EMORRISON. 

